The 1923 Ford T-Bucket featured in this article is one mean machine. The T-Bucket is a very modified Model T. In fact, it is so modified you may not recognize it as a Model T. You typically will not see an engine cowl on a T-Bucket and the radiator will be from a Model T . The windshield is typically vertical which resembles the same as on an original Model T.
Ford stopped building their Model T's in 1927. Most of the T-Buckets you see today at auto shows and swap meets are fiberglass replicas. In fact, by the 1950's it was hard to find a suitable original steel body Model T to modify.
Attention Getting Street Rods
Many of the Ford T-Buckets you see today are essentially show cars and there are some functioning as street rods as well. There is no doubt that anywhere this 1923 T-Bucket goes it will receive plenty of attention. Each of these T-Buckets are highly customized so you'll see a great amount of creativity in the bucket interior, engine of course, and paint schemes.Just take a look at the beautiful chrome on this engine.
Look at the engines in some of them and you'll see that they aren't practical street vehicles. The engine in the T-Bucket shown in this article is a Blown 355 cubic inch V-8 with some heavy supercharging. The transmission on this car is a TH350 three speed automatic. In general, you'll see a Ford T-Bucket that looks like it's much too big for the size and weight of the body and chassis. Some may say that a blower/supercharger on your T-Bucket is great for racing and perhaps for burning tires. If that's not your goal then the supercharger may be unnecessary.
Hot Rod Model T's are Hot
Model T's have been customized and modified into street rods for a long time. For traditional hot rodders nothing gets the heart beating faster than cool early Ford projects.
The very first T-Bucket fiberglass bodies came on the market in 1957 for about $150 and the 1923 models were the first produced.
T-Bucket Kits, Plans and Resources
As of this writing, complete T-Bucket kits are offered by companies such as Speedway Motors, Detroit Speedcraft, Spirit Motors, and Corbin Rods. T-Bucket bodies are offered by TBucketPlans.com.
TBucketPlans.com offers a publication titled...How to Build a T-Bucket Hot Rod Roadster for Under $3,000. It's been called "The Most Compete Hot Rod How-To Ever Written". Also, How to Build a T-Bucket Roadster on a Budget written by Charles Greenhalgh.
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| 1923 Ford T-Bucket |
Attention Getting Street Rods
Many of the Ford T-Buckets you see today are essentially show cars and there are some functioning as street rods as well. There is no doubt that anywhere this 1923 T-Bucket goes it will receive plenty of attention. Each of these T-Buckets are highly customized so you'll see a great amount of creativity in the bucket interior, engine of course, and paint schemes.Just take a look at the beautiful chrome on this engine.
Look at the engines in some of them and you'll see that they aren't practical street vehicles. The engine in the T-Bucket shown in this article is a Blown 355 cubic inch V-8 with some heavy supercharging. The transmission on this car is a TH350 three speed automatic. In general, you'll see a Ford T-Bucket that looks like it's much too big for the size and weight of the body and chassis. Some may say that a blower/supercharger on your T-Bucket is great for racing and perhaps for burning tires. If that's not your goal then the supercharger may be unnecessary.
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| Blown 355 V-8 |
Model T's have been customized and modified into street rods for a long time. For traditional hot rodders nothing gets the heart beating faster than cool early Ford projects.
The very first T-Bucket fiberglass bodies came on the market in 1957 for about $150 and the 1923 models were the first produced.
T-Bucket Kits, Plans and Resources
As of this writing, complete T-Bucket kits are offered by companies such as Speedway Motors, Detroit Speedcraft, Spirit Motors, and Corbin Rods. T-Bucket bodies are offered by TBucketPlans.com.
TBucketPlans.com offers a publication titled...How to Build a T-Bucket Hot Rod Roadster for Under $3,000. It's been called "The Most Compete Hot Rod How-To Ever Written". Also, How to Build a T-Bucket Roadster on a Budget written by Charles Greenhalgh.
Another interesting site regarding the building of a T-Bucket can be found at hotrod.com. Cut and paste the url http://www.hotrod.com/cars/project-vehicles/hrdp-1306-we-built-a-speedway-motors-tribute-t-bucket-kit/
See our Muscle Car Journal article on the 1937 Chevy master Deluxe Street Rod
See our AutoMuseumOnline article on the 1931 Morgan Aero Super Dry
Those interested in building a Ford T-Bucket might take a look at the National T-Bucket Alliance. This organization works to bring together individual hot rodders with a common interest. Included are forums, for sale items and tech pages, an NTBA Hall of Fame, newsletters and more. All leadership positions at the organization are volunteer. The organization is a group of dedicated T-Bucket fanatics who prefer big engines, huge rear tires and lots of fancy paint and chrome. Check them out at www.nationaltbucketalliance.com
(Article and photos copyright Muscle Car Journal)
